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Unprecedented Excitement in New York State for Total Solar Eclipse
On April 8, 2024, New York will witness a rare event as the moon’s dark umbral shadow will pass over the state, marking the first total solar eclipse path sweeping across the Empire State in 99 years. The “I Love New York” campaign, in use since 1977 to promote tourism in the state, is capitalizing on this unique event to attract eclipse enthusiasts from around the country.
Historical Context
In New York’s last total eclipse in 1925, cities like Niagara Falls, Buffalo, and Rochester were in the path of totality. The eclipse, known as “The 96th Street Eclipse,” split New York City in half, with the north experiencing a total eclipse while the south saw a partial eclipse, including certain iconic areas like Manhattan, Brooklyn, and New York Harbor.
Comparing Past and Present
The upcoming April 8 eclipse will similarly divide cities like San Antonio and Montreal, with Cincinnati and Toronto lying just outside the totality zone. Questions remain whether phenomena like the corona will be visible in these areas, akin to observations made near the edge of totality in 1970.
The Diamond Ring Effect
The 1925 eclipse introduced the term “diamond ring effect” to astronomy, highlighted by a spectacular description in The New York Times. Observers just outside totality were treated to prolonged views of a luminous ring, sparking public interest and inquiries about the phenomenon.
This historical eclipse also led to an unusual court case in New York City, where three individuals, arrested for causing a disturbance while intoxicated the night before the eclipse, were released as a judge deemed their time in jail during the eclipse as a sufficient punishment.
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